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Friday, January 30, 2009
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Creating Inner Focus with Pratyahara |
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Pratyahara is the pivotal point in the practice of yoga where the path leads from the exterior to the interior landscape of the body. Pratyahara translates directly as “sense withdrawal” and is the fifth limb or branch of an eight-staged yogic approach to the unification of body-mind-spirit. By withdrawing our attention from the external environment and by focusing inwards on the breath and sensations, we still the mind and increase our awareness of the body. With this awareness and focus we can move deeper into the practice of yoga, learning to move through our limitations, fears and expectations. The key to practicing pratyahara is observing the body, breath and sensations as a detached witness, as if you were watching and feeling someone else’s body. Used with compassion and discipline, pratyahara enriches the practice of yoga and leads to deeper stages of concentration and meditation. 1 Comments
This is the great paradox of the life of an individual soul. For all we know, the entire world and everything outside of us exists entirely within our own imagination. For if it were not for the five senses, we would have no perception of them. Therefore, the five sense organs (touch, taste, sound, sight, and smell) are the instruments through which we sense the world.
Pratyahara is the fifth step of ashtanga yoga, and this is where we detach from the world outside of us and turn our focus inward. The first five limbs are the lesser, outer limbs, according to Patanjali. The next three (Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi), called Samyama, are the inner limbs. The quest of yoga is to come to the inner Atman, or Parushu. We can not do this unless we make the journey within our soul. We can not make that journey until we detach ourselves and let go of the things of the world, and along with it the desires within us that have arisen due to these external influences. 1
August 24, 2012
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Ahimsa, the yogic practice of non violence must be adhered to when engaging in the practice of hatha yoga. Respect your body's limitations and inner wisdom, if something feels wrong or dangerous, please do not do it.
Please consult your health care practitioner before starting a yoga, pranayama or other exercise program.
All contents copyright 2001-2012 Timothy Burgin and Yogabasics.com. All rights reserved. Om shanti peace.
Please consult your health care practitioner before starting a yoga, pranayama or other exercise program.
All contents copyright 2001-2012 Timothy Burgin and Yogabasics.com. All rights reserved. Om shanti peace.
